asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, notwithstanding the Government's policy of public expenditure cuts in respect of local government, he will make funds available to local authorities specifically to maintain fire services at least at the level they were on 3 May.

No. As with other local government services to which the Government contribute by way of rate support grant, it is for individual local authorities to decide on the proportion of their expenditure to devote to the provision of fire services.